6 Hours In Rome – The Best Things To Do In Rome In One Day

Last Updated on 7th May 2024

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During a trip to Venice, we decided to take the train to Rome for one day (6 hours to be precise) and while that certainly wasn’t enough time to see and do everything in this glorious Italian city, it gave us a brief glimpse into the best things to see and do in Rome in just 6 hours.

Rome really is one of the most beautiful and majestic cities in Europe and it’s a place that should be on everyone’s bucket list! Here’s what you should get up to if you’ve only got 6 hours in Rome!

How to get to Rome in one day

We got train tickets for around €100 each from Venice to Rome which was pretty pricey, but considering we only booked them the day before we went, we didn’t really expect much less!

Both Matt and I agreed that it was definitely money well spent though, and I would 100% recommend making the journey to Rome if you’re ever in Venice (or vice versa).

The Colosseum – 6 hours in Rome itinerary

Of course, the first stop during our 6 hours in Rome had the be the world-famous Colosseum which was one of the best things I’ve ever seen!

It literally looks just how I imagined it to; exactly the same as it does in the movies. The area around this popular landmark is absolutely heaving with tourists though (and I mean literally swarming with people!).

Book your fast-track entry tickets to the Colosseum here!

Altare della Patria

After admiring the spectacular sight for a while, we walked past a number of ancient ruins and other wonderful buildings until we stumbled on one of the most breathtaking pieces of architecture in Rome (which is really saying something!), the Altare della Patria.

It’s the largest national monument in Italy and it sits proudly between the Piazza Venezia and the Capitoline Hill. It was built over the course of 50 years between 1885 and 1935 to honour the first king of a unified Italy, in Rome, Victor Emmanuel II.

The Pantheon

The Pantheon is one of the most renowned buildings in Rome and as soon as you step foot inside, it’s clear to see why.

It originally opened all the way back in 125 AD so it’s positively steeped in history. It’s arguably the most preserved monument of ancient Rome and considering it is almost 2000 years old, it’s certainly not in bad shape for its age!

Trevi Fountain – 6 hours in Rome

The Trevi Fountain is one of the most iconic sights in the city and is a definite must-see if you’ve just got 6 hours in Rome!

Of course, it’s also one of the busiest areas in the city and you may have to fight the crowds for a good spot! Ideally, the Trevi Fountain is best visited super early in the morning before the crowds and tourists descend on it, but if you only have one day in Rome, I’d still recommend checking it out.

Prati neighbourhood

Prati is a gorgeous neighbourhood just next door to Vatican City and it’s well worth a stroll through if you’re only in Rome for one day. It’s home to some beautiful buildings, lovely gelaterias and stunning gardens.

Vatican City

Vatican City and St Peter’s Basilica were truly a sight to behold, albeit almost unbearably busy. The queue to actually get inside the Basilica was over two hours long and as we only had 6 hours in Rome, we didn’t have time to see one of the most famous paintings in the world inside the Sistine Chapel.

We did, however, buy postcards and sent them from the Vatican City postbox!

If you want to visit Rome in one day and spend a few hours in Vatican City and the Sistine Chapel, book tickets before you go to avoid long waits in the queue!

Book your skip-the-ticket-line entry tickets to the Vatican Museums and Sistine Chapel here!

We enjoyed a leisurely walk around the city for a little while and then we headed back to the train station. Our six hours in Rome were truly magical, although I’d definitely love to head back again one day for longer!

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Have you ever been to Rome? Would you like to go? Let me know in the comments or on Twitter at @imjustagirl_16.